STUDENT MEMBER

Geoscience is a regulated profession in Ontario and most of Canada. Just as engineers, doctors, lawyers, and many other professions are regulated in Canada, so are geoscientists. Practising geoscience without a licence can result in legal action and financial penalties as defined by the Professional Geoscientists Act (2000). PGO is the regulator of geoscientists in Ontario and as such, governs the practice of geoscience in this province. PGO registers geoscientists and confers the Professional Geoscientists (P.Geo.) designation on them. It also handles complaints and discipline with respect to the actions of P.Geo.’s. Over 2000 P.Geo.’s are registered with PGO.

Aspiring to be a Professional Geoscientist?

If you wish to be qualified to practice geoscience in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada, start early! Become a student member of PGO. Get advice from PGO staff on which courses are necessary to meet PGO’s knowledge requirements. Enjoy the benefits of networking with Professional Geoscientists, the PGO Mentoring Program, and staying up-to-date with the geoscience field and related industries by subscribing to our weekly e-newsletter, Field Notes. To find out more about our networking events, please click on PGO Events.

Six Steps to Becoming a P.Geo.

  1. Apply to become a student member of PGO. 
  2. Use the online Knowledge Requirements Tool Kit.
  3. Complete a four year B.Sc. and meet all knowledge requirements.
  4. Apply and become a Geoscientist-in-Training (GIT). Students who register to be GITs within 6 months of graduating get their first year of GIT fees FREE.
  5. Get four years of geoscience work experience that meets PGO’s requirement.
  6. Apply for change of designation from GIT to P.Geo.


Join PGO’s Mentoring Program

The purpose of PGO’s Mentoring Program is to provide a forum for experienced professional geoscientists to share their knowledge, insight and experience with student members, Geoscientists-in-Training (GITs) and newly minted P.Geo.’s. It was developed to provide professional development and growth opportunities for both the mentors and the mentees. The Mentoring Program is a mentor-and-mentee driven program. PGO’s role is to help facilitate the connection of mentors and mentees.

The length of the mentoring relationship is determined by the participants. Find out more about the Mentoring Program by clicking on this page.


Resources


Geoscience and Canada - Understanding our Earth: The vital role of Canada’s geoscientists
 
 
 
 



Geoscientists Canada’s Resource
Geoscience Knowledge and Experience
Requirements for Professional Registration in Canada.
 
 
 



Geoscientist-in-Training Program Guide
A useful document as you work toward your
career goal through a Geoscientist-In-Training (GIT) Program.
 
 
 


 
 


The Importance of Being a Geoscientist-in-Training

PGO encourages newly graduated students who are serious about pursuing a career in geoscience to register as a Geoscientist-in-Training as the next step towards achieving the P.Geo. designation. Here are registrants who shared their thoughts on the importance of becoming a Geoscientists-in-Training:


Angela Mae Mason, P.Geo.
 
 
 



Joanna West, GIT
 
 
 


 
 



What’s Great About Being a Professional Geoscientist?

Being a Professional Geoscientist means being a part of a proud profession. In this section, PGO registrants share their perspective on what's great about being a Professional Geoscientist.


Birgit Rameseder, P.Geo.
 
 
 



Greg Collins P.Geo.
 
 
 



Scott Franko, P.Geo.
 
 
 



David Hunt, (Past President)